Self-reliant Trustworthiness

ARTHUR A. CROSBY

It is related that on a certain occasion when Christ Jesus was hard pressed by those who misunderstood his teaching and were about to cast him headlong from the brow of a hill, "he passing through the midst of them went his way." This incident is of great illustrative value to the understanding Christian Scientist. Jesus relied so implicitly on divine Love's constant presence, guidance, and protection that fear failed to touch him; and because of this he was shielded and directed by divine Principle.

Whether at the war front or on the home front, the student of Christian Science knows that as he holds steadfastly to the truth of being and relies on the ever-present guidance and protection of his God, threatened danger and difficult situations have no power over him. Understanding divine Love and how to work out his salvation through unwavering fidelity to Truth and unyielding firmness in obedience to divine Principle, he is found to be spiritually self-reliant and trustworthy. Hence his sure deliverance.

A young man serving in Africa in the flying forces of his country, but now home on furlough, relates the following incident. Anti-aircraft fire had damaged his plane so severely that it was necessary to bail out. However, this seemed a hazardous undertaking, since he was over enemy territory. But quickly realizing that always, underneath were the everlasting arms of divine Love, he stepped from the plane fearlessly. As his parachute opened, enemy fire was crackling around him. Affirming that he had no selfhood apart from the one divinely bestowed, and that therefore no harm could come to him, this young man became suddenly conscious that his 'chute was being borne away from the enemy fire by a strong wind; and when he finally touched terra firma, he was overjoyed to find himself on friendly territory.

This, indeed, was an exemplification of self-reliant trustworthiness. Whether on land, in the air, or on the sea, whether at home or abroad, man is always under divine protection. Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, has written (The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany, pp. 149, 150): "Remember, thou canst be brought into no condition, be it ever so severe, where Love has not been before thee and where its tender lesson is not awaiting thee. Therefore despair not nor murmur, for that which seeketh to save, to heal, and to deliver, will guide thee, if thou seekest this guidance."

Our Way-shower, Christ Jesus, humbly claimed no ability of his own. "The Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works," he declared. As we follow him in the way he indicated, we are being truly self-reliant; and this is the high goal the loyal Scientist keeps ever before him. Our fidelity to this ideal determines our spiritual trustworthiness and, whatever the erroneous condition may be, enables us to work out our salvation.

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